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OUR PEOPLE PEOPLE A community of care you can count on. ASK Staff Leadership Team Amy Godkin Executive Director agodkin@askccf.org ext. 102 Rachael Schrinel Director of Philanthropy rschrinel@askccf.org ext. 103 Barbara Snuggs Director of Finance & Administration bsnuggs@askccf.org ext. 115 Program Team Alma Morgan Associate Director of Education amorgan@askccf.org ext. 117 Kimberly Stroud, MSW Family Support Manager kstroud@askccf.org ext. 106 Michelle Jarnigan-Johnson Young Adult Support Coordinator mjohnson@askccf.org ext. 107 Laura Pruitt Program Events Coordinator lpruitt@askccf.org ext. 120 Dayana Bjorkman Bilingual Community Coordinator (Spanish/English) dbjorkman@askccf.org Katie Barber Child Life Specialist kbarber@askccf.org ext. 109 Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU Rev. Rich Catlett, BCC Chaplain rcatlett@askccf.org ext. 108 Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU Jon Longenecker Education Support Navigator jlongenecker@askccf.org ext. 113 Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU Amy Fender Education Support Navigator afender@askccf.org ext. 119 Carilion Children's Grant Pavlik Education Support Navigator gpavlik@askccf.org ext. 118 Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters Lisa Meares Education Support Navigator lmeares@askccf.org ext. 122 Inova Schar Cancer Institute Vanessa Wagener Bilingual Education Support Navigator vwagener@askccf.org ext. 132 Inova Schar Cancer Institute Natalie Duncan Education Support Navigator nduncan@askccf.org ext. 123 UVA Children's Hospital Tammy Long Fredericksburg Community Coordinator tlong@askccf.org ext. 126 Kristen Lahocki First STEP Preschool Teacher klahocki@askccf.org Alex Harrell Program & Impact Coordinator aharrell@askccf.org ext. 104 Development & Marketing Team Hanna Gardner Associate Director of Marketing hgardner@askccf.org ext. 125 Kelsey Olszewski Associate Director of Development kolszewski@askccf.org ext. 105 Danielle Hottle Grant Manager dhottle@askccf.org ext. 128 Anna Siegle Development Operations Coordinator asiegle@askccf.org ext. 116 Caitlin Glauser Special Events Coordinator cglauser@askccf.org ext. 129 Claire Baugh Marketing Content Coordinator cbaugh@askccf.org ext. 124 Administration Lauren Estes Office Manager lestes@askccf.org ext. 101 Bailey Harlow Advocacy Coordinator bharlow@askccf.org ext. 127 Amy L. Williams HR Manager awilliams@askccf.org ext. 112 ASK Board of Directors Robert Westermann President Hirschler Fleischer Meg Garner Vice President VPM Media Corp. Gina Honeycutt Secretary & Parliamentarian 12 On Your Side/Gray Media John Pfisterer Treasurer SuperNet, Inc. Leslie Armstrong VCU Medical Center Scott Armstrong Old Dominion Insulation Past President Marc Cheatham Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine Makisa George Berkshire Hathaway Leslie Griles LGImpressions, Inc. Kim Keno Capital One Steve McCoy Patient First Past President Kesha Oates Anthem Tim Parent Mungo Homes Connis Tennessee Community Volunteer John Waters Biringer Builders Melissa White Northwestern Mutual Isaac Wright Financial Dynamics & Associates, Inc. Join the Team As we aim to grow our impact, we also need to grow our team. Click below to learn about our open positions! Learn More

We're here to make life a little better. Your generosity means kids like Brendan don't have to face cancer or serious blood disorders alone. better. Give Today Brendan, 8 How we help our families: Community & Connection Fighting cancer can be an isolating experience. We helped our kids and families build meaningful connections throughout 2023 with more than 100 program events. Educational Support On average, kids miss 43 days of school during their first year of treatment. In 2023, we helped more than 500 patients return to school with the support they need to be successful. Financial Assistance Half of all families with a child in treatment will experience severe financial hardship. In 2023, we helped families stay afloat with more than $250,000 to cover everyday expenses. Get Support Through your generosity, we've been able to provide Assistance, Support, and Kindness to thousands of people in Virginia who have been impacted by childhood cancer: people like parents Russ and Jenny, and their 11-year-old son, Gavin, who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. Meet this amazing family as they share their story and see how your support provided the care and community they needed to make it through the impossible. See More Impact 6-7 children are diagnosed with cancer every week in Virginia. Let’s give them a hand and help make life better any way we can. How to Get Involved > What's new? Meet ASK Kid Brendan Dec 20, 2024 Meet ASK Kid Glis Dec 11, 2024 Meet ASK Kid Ruby Nov 21, 2024 See More Posts Stay Connected with ASK Sign up for updates on all things ASK! You'll hear from us regularly with opportunities for you to give , volunteer , or advocate for children with cancer. You'll also receive monthly stories to meet the inspiring children and families your generosity is helping to support. Sign Up for Updates Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube Linkedin TikTok Twitter

We are here to help make these difficult days a little easier. FOR FAMILIES From day one, our kids and families have access to all-around support from ASK, wherever they need it. From the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond – we are here to provide a helping hand along the way. New to ASK? Fill out our Enrollment Form to officially join the ASK community! Enrollment Form Forma de Inscripción Family Support Care for the whole family: emotionally, spiritually, and financially. Learn More Educational Support Assistance from preschool through high school and into adulthood. Learn More Community & Connection Come together with people who understand what you're going through. Learn More WAYS TO GIVE All the ways you can give Assistance, Support and Kindness to an ASK family in need. Find A Way

“I know a Kourageous Kid,” says Patra, mom of eight-year-old ASK Kid Brendan. “He’s teaching me the true meaning of love,” she continues.  “He never gives up and his strength is inspirational. He never complains but is not afraid to tell us of his pain and symptoms. He asks questions and stays informed on treatment. He respects and admires his doctors and nurses. He is creative and kind. He has an amazing spirit. He is always up for a challenge and is fighting the challenge of his young life. My son has cancer, and every day, I wish cancer didn’t know my child’s name, but I know he will win this fight.” Last year, Brendan was diagnosed with Leukemia. After several trips to the pediatrician for a cough and ear infection, a simple blood test revealed low hemoglobin. He was sent to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU where a pediatric oncologist awaited him and so did ASK’s in-clinic support team. He began chemotherapy and went into remission just three weeks after starting treatment. Eight-year-old Brendan, a bright young reader and math enthusiast, was determined to stay engaged in his studies despite undergoing treatment. With the dedicated support of ASK Education Support Navigator, Jon Longenecker, Brendan made a smooth transition back to the classroom this year. He's now thriving academically and has achieved AB honor roll!  ASK’s educational team will continue to support him throughout his school career, including career counseling as he transitions into young adulthood. "I didn't think I was deserving of financial help, so I was beyond grateful when ASK offered to pay our electric bill and had our car serviced at Midas of Richmond so that we had air conditioning in our car this summer. These people are so kind and continually provide emotional and financial support when we need it most. They have changed our lives with their generosity.” - Patra ASK Kid Brendan's Mom As Brendan continues to heal, he looks forward to participating in the many ASK programs and events. Patra recognizes the invaluable support offered by connecting with other families navigating the challenges of childhood cancer. "I love the ASK-sponsored opportunities to support and be supported by people who truly understand what we're facing on a day-to-day basis. Without ASK, we wouldn't have this vital network." Brendan still has a long road ahead of him but is now in the maintenance phase of treatment, taking daily oral chemotherapy, a regular routine of antibiotics and a lumbar puncture infusion one time per month. Patra's hope for the future is echoed by many parents facing similar challenges. "One day my son will ring the bell. I'll be by his side to cheer him, and so will the people of ASK. We're all in this fight together!"

It wasn't until Glis was eight years old that her family began to notice a change in her health. Unusual bruises started appearing on her body, and disappearing after a few days. Soon after, she experienced persistent vomiting and a complete loss of appetite. However, as her condition deteriorated and her skin turned pale, a deeper concern emerged. "I remember looking at her feet, which had turned white, and feeling a growing fear that something was seriously wrong," Alma recalled, her voice filled with worry. After conducting several tests, the doctors delivered the devastating news: "Your daughter has cancer."' Alma recalls at that moment, her world crumbled, and she fell into a state of disbelief at the words she was hearing from the doctors. "I held onto hope, thinking, 'No, this can't be possible.' I rushed to the internet to research leukemia, my heart filled with fear. I kept asking, 'Is she going to die? What will happen to her? Please, someone tell me.' I was lost!" The news shattered the family's world, plunging them into fear and uncertainty. ASK Mom, Alma, recalls the day her daughter Glis began to lose her hair during her Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, stating: "I will never forget the moment my daughter touched her hair and realized it was falling out. As she lost her hair in front of me and my other two daughters, they quickly grabbed a Ziploc bag to collect and save their sister's hair. I was devastated as a mom, crying harder than I ever had in my life. Witnessing my daughter's sad face during that terrifying moment for our family was heart-wrenching. Glis, my eight-year-old little girl, taught me a valuable lesson when she said, 'Mommy, it's okay; my hair will come back.' That moment reminded me to stay strong and be there for her." "I am grateful to organizations like ASK, which have been by our side during these difficult times. We attended a social event, Bingo, which was a great moment of joy and support. I also appreciate the educational support the navigator provided, and I thank Dr. Newton for your patience and care for my daughter" - Alma, ASK Kid Glis's Mom When people began asking about Glis's diagnosis, many feared the worst, but Alma knew she had to be brave and strong for her daughter. "This was leukemia versus us, and we had the power of God on our side, along with the best medical team, including Dr. Newton, the ASK team, and everyone who supported us during this process." As Glis bravely faced the challenges of treatment, she taught her family a valuable lesson in resilience. Her unwavering spirit, even in the face of adversity, inspired them all. After many days in the hospital and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, the doctors informed the family that the day for Glis's final chemotherapy was approaching. So close to the end of a grueling journey, they found a kidney stone, postponing Glis's final chemotherapy session. In 2023, Glis was able to complete her last round of chemotherapy, and the whole family wept tears of joy when she rang the bell. "I am grateful to organizations like ASK, which have been by our side during these difficult times. We attended a social event, Bingo, which was a great moment of joy and support. I also appreciate the educational support the navigator provided, and I thank Dr. Newton for your patience and care for my daughter" - Alma, ASK Kid Glis's Mom Since completing her treatment, Glis has been back playing with her friends, and her hair has grown back so long that it reaches her waist. She loves it and is incredibly proud of it. She tells her mom this feels like a new beginning.

On the surface, Colin seems like any other kid eagerly awaiting to start middle school. He always has a pep in his step and takes pride in his curly locks, no matter how often Mom Allison asks if she can give them a trim. However, six years ago, Alison recalls the early days of Colin's illness: " He had a lot of bone and abdominal pain at night; it got better during the day, but it was most nights, and he wasn't eating very well, and he was much more tired. Colin had just started kindergarten, so we were just saying that 'Maybe the fatigue was because [he was] starting kindergarten.'" Colin and his family's lives changed forever when a month of fevers, extreme bone pain, numerous trips to the pediatrician, and ER visits resulted in a devastating diagnosis of Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and it instantly turned their world upside down. For the past six years, Colin and his family's life has been a rollercoaster of treatments, setbacks, and moments of hope. His first round of chemotherapy was riddled with complications, often landing him in the hospital and challenging his family's spirit. Participating in the PH-ALL clinical trial at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia offered a glimmer of hope. "Colin was in remission, went off treatment in October 2020, and then he relapsed the first time in June of 2021. He got back in remission, with CAR T at UVA Children's Hospital, went through a bone marrow transplant in October of 2021 at CHOP, and did well with the transplant but then relapsed again March of 2023,"  Alison shared, her voice filled with a mix of hope and heartache. After receiving chemo, Colin was back in remission, and to this day, he is still in and out of the clinic in maintenance receiving treatment. However, his treatment doesn't prevent him from leading a life of fun and excitement like any other 11-year-old boy. Colin and his family have since participated in ASK's first-ever community and connection event in Charlottesville, where families from across the region met for a fun-filled family picnic. They spent the afternoon building community and enjoying time as a family. He has also started middle school with the help of former ASK Education Navigator Lauren, who helped ensure Colin received the necessary resources to support his education throughout his treatment. "[Lauren] was really helpful for his 504 meeting for starting middle school… and really helped [ed] advocate for him. She was the one who helped [Colin] with not having a calculator or having a calculator for all of [his] stuff and for all of the state testing, which not everyone gets. So she was really good to advocate for him for things for school," Alison, ASK Kid Colin's Mom Colin's family also participated in ASK's most recent GlowGold campaign to help raise awareness of pediatric cancer in their community and the need for funding for additional resources for families with a child with cancer. "Cancer affects the whole family, not just the child," Alison explained. "Cancer affects the whole family and siblings too. People need to know how much [families diagnosed with cancer] have to go outside the state of VA to get treatment and that we need more resources within the state."  Allison and her family continue to find ways to get involved in the ASK community, which has made a big difference not only in Colin's life but also in their entire family's during difficult times.